First, last Saturday I drove my shot into the trees off the tee so I had to chip it out with a 4 iron. It was a decent enough chip but it came to rest directly behind the 150 yard marker about 2 feet behind it. If I would have swung any club at the ball it would have hit the marker so not being sure of the rule I measured two club lengths back and hit from there. Is that right?
Not being sure, I assessed a penalty stroke on myself.

Second, the course was really crowded that day and on the par three second I pulled my shot way right, then hit into a bunker, then from the bunker caught the ball super clean and the it sailed over the green past the cart path. Rather than hold up the entire production I just picked up and gave myself an 8 for the hole. I don't know if there's an official rule about picking up but is there some sort of etiquette? From where I was I'm pretty sure I could have gotten a six but I wanted to err on the side of conservatism (about the only time I wish to err on the side of conservatism), henceforth, the 8 on the scorecard. I also considered that hole a 3 putt and counted it as such at the end of the round.

Any help, speculation, real knowledge, or just plain rumination is welcome. Thanks.